From the Ground Up

From The Ground Up
A PUBLICATION OF THE IPFW PHYSICAL PLANT
Winter 2003
Inside this issue:
Pictures of Retirees 2
A Year In Review 2
Holiday Safety Tips 3
Birthdays 3
Tuberculosis Tidbit 4
Promotions 4
New Employees 5
Seven Physical Plant Employees Retire in 2003 By: Jayla M. Heller
Imagine working at IPFW when there were only one building at the minimum, where today there are approximately 15 buildings and or parking garages and more to come with student housing. This was how the campus looked when many of the Physical Plant employees first started here at IPFW. Seven Physical Plant employees will be retiring by the end of the 2003 year and they are Richard Court, Allen Peters, William Reed, Ezel Smith, Mike Bondar, Sam Kmety, and Don Lehner. I was able to sit down with a few of them to ask each of them questions about their future plans after retirement. Ezel Smith started working at IPFW in 1950. IPFW as we know it now did not exist in 1950. Ezel first started working at the downtown site for 13 years. "It was in a small building. I was on one side working for Indiana University Center and Purdue University was on the other side," Ezel explained. In 1963, she then moved to the present location on Coliseum Boulevard and worked in Kettler Hall. She worked at Kettler Hall washing windows and she said that they would not let her work anywhere else but in Kettler. She retired on September 4, 2003 and her retirement plans are to visit family. She said that what she enjoyed most about working for IPFW was making people happy. Many people at IPFW will miss seeing her smile every day. Mike Bondar started working for IPFW in 1978. When Mike first came to work for IPFW there were approximately five buildings which included Kettler Hall, Physical Plant, Neff Hall, Walb Union, and Helmke Library. I asked him what he enjoyed most about working at IPFW and he said that he loves his job, meeting a lot of nice people, and making new friends. Mike will retire on December 31, 2003 and his retirement plans include going to California to spend time with his father. Allen Peters started working for IPFW in 1982. When Allen came to work for IPFW there were approximately seven buildings which included Kettler Hall, Physical Plant, Neff Hall, Walb Union, Helmke Library, Classroom Medical, and Gates Sport Center. I asked him how IPFW changed over the years since he first started working here and he said that it was bad for a while but then things got better. He also said that there are more buildings and he saw two parking garages being built while working here. I also asked him what he enjoyed most about working for IPFW and he said meeting new people and making friends. Allen will retire on December 31, 2003 and his retirement plans include selling and buying antiques. Don Lehner started working for IPFW in 1983. When Don came to work for IPFW there were seven buildings including Kettler Hall, Physical Plant, Neff Hall, Walb Union, Helmke Library, Classroom Medical, and Gates Sport Center. The best thing that Don has enjoyed most about working at IPFW is the people. Don will retire on December 31, 2003 and his retirement plans include golfing and volunteer work. We would like to thank Richard, Allen, William, Ezel, Mike, Sam, and Don for there support that they have shown IPFW campus throughout the years of working here. Best of luck in whatever endeavors you will be doing after retiring.
L to R: Don Lehner, Mike Bondar Sam Kmety, and Allen Peters
A Year In Review By: David Danielson Director of Physical Plant
As I think back over the past year, a lot activity has gone on that has or will impact the IPFW Physical Plant. Our student housing project is progressing rapidly and most certainly will be completed on time. The Willis Family Bridge was completed in September. Planning for the new Music Building is moving forward as is the Medical Education Building. The purchase of the Oh's building was just finalized last week and we began maintaining 55 acres at the State Development Center last April. Our enrollment numbers are continuing to increase as well as our building usage. Whether it's a new building, new land, or more students it most certainly has impacted each and every one of us! From a personnel standpoint, 2003 has also brought some changes. Ezel Smith, a 53 year Physical Plant employee, retired in September. In addition, six other long term employees are retiring at the end of this year (December 31st). Overall, the Physical Plant is losing close to 200 years of experience when they retire. They have all done a great job and will be missed. After all, it's the people that make the Physical Plant what it is! The customer service all of us provide and the effort it takes to do the job the right way the first time is outstanding. In previous issues of this newsletter I've written several articles about each of us striving to become the "Provider of Choice" for IPFW. These seven individuals have been a contributing factor toward achieving this distinction - and we are proud of the role they have played in this process. As we look forward to 2004, I want to say thanks for the fantastic job all of you have done this past year. We've worked together to accomplish a great deal. And lastly, I want to wish a safe and wonderful retirement to Mike Bondar, Richard Court, Sam Kmety, Don Lehner, Al Peters, and Bill Reed who have given so much of themselves to IPFW and the Physical Plant.
"Overall, the Physical Plant is losing close to 200 years of experience when they retire."
Holiday Safety Tips By: Lauren Denhartog Chief of Police and Safety
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season will soon be upon us. Don't let yourself become so wrapped up in holiday planning that you forget safety. Here are some tips to help you get safely through the holiday season:
1. If you are going to drink, drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. Don't hesitate to call a cab if necessary.
2. As you decorate for the holidays, remember fire safety. Live trees and decorations are very flammable. If they are to be used on campus they must be treated with a fire retardant. (Call REM at 5744 for more details.)
3. If you go shopping at lunch or prior to your work hours, make sure all of your purchases are out of sight in your vehicle. Preferably locked in your trunk.
4. Don't leave children unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.
5. Don't leave your purses or wallets in a shopping cart or in your vehicle.
6. When returning to your vehicle walk in a group when possible, always have your car keys out and ready to use.
7. Be alert to your surroundings. Walk and park in well lighted areas.
We normally see an increase in crime prior to the holiday season. These are just a few of the precautions you can take to aid in your safety. Use your common sense; don't take chances with your safety! Have a great holiday season!
Happy Birthday!
January, February, March, April
JANUARY
1 Rebekah Blaettner 2 Tim Ellsworth 7 Carolyn Itt 15 Jerry McCagg 15 Nathaniel Stephens 20 Calvin Lewis 26 Jim Henderson 28 Jennifer Weigmann 30 Gary Cooley 30 Greg Miller 30 Mary Waskiewicz
FEBRUARY
2 Percy Dance 3 Robert Habeger 4 Dale Winter 11 Lauren Denhartog 20 Mattie Irby 22 Bob Brooks 25 Tom Haner 27 Lora Caldwell 27 Frank Mace
MARCH
1 Steve Newhard 3 Barry Markin 5 Sue Earlin 6 James Hall 13 Charlie Showalter 18 Jeff Davis 21 John Parkson 28 Barry Wygant
APRIL
8 Laurel Dailey 14 Richard Igney 18 Greg Clements 21 Bruce Burdick 22 Sam Quenn 29 Renee Eshcoff
Tuberculosis Tidbit By: Renee A. Eshcoff, CHMM
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other body parts, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. When a person inhales air that contains TB germs, he or she may become infected. What are some of the symptoms of TB disease? They include feeling sick or weak, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever and night sweats. The symptoms of TB of the lungs include a bad cough lasting longer than 2 weeks, chest pain, and coughing up blood. That is the "scary" side of TB. However, TB is relatively difficult to transmit and generally requires close, prolonged contact over long periods of time. Additionally, in most cases, TB can be cured with a treatment combination of drugs and isolation. People with TB disease are most likely to spread it to people they spend time and close contact with every day, such as family members or coworkers. Due to the occupational hazard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an enforcement policy in 1993 to control occupational exposure for high-risk groups. At IPFW, we have several departments which are included in our TB Program due to their potential for exposure based on their job duties. Annual TB screening and education are included in this program to protect our employees and control the spread of infection. On October 20, 2003, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health issued an "Urgent Message" indicating that we have had an increase of 50% in the number of new patients with active TB in the last four months, compared to last year at this time. Another twist is that some of the more recent cases have been in young people who have not been as compliant with their medication administration. As a bit of history, the first drug to treat TB arrived in 1944 and the first oral medication arrived in 1952 so for quite a few decades since then, TB had not been as much of a concern and was generally considered not much of a health threat. That was until the 1980s and early 1990s when well-documented outbreaks occurred and as of 2001, the number of TB cases in the United States totaled 16,000. Without a lot of common knowledge about TB, people were quite shocked. People remembered that TB was also known as the "white plague" due to the epidemic in Europe during the 18th century and "consumption" which is progressive wasting away of the body. In fact, one billion people worldwide died of TB during the 19th and 20th centuries alone. Then in 1882, a German biologist, Robert Koch, discovered the organism that caused TB which led to the drug development 60 years later. For additional information regarding TB, please contact a medical professional, CDC or OSHA. The intent of this article is only to raise awareness, not diagnose!
"TB is relatively difficult to transmit and generally requires close, prolonged contact over long periods of time."
Transfers, Promotions, and Reassignments:
Cornelius Grant Building Services Day Shift
NOTICE: Physical Plant regrets to inform you that Paul Lindenberg, who worked for IPFW Building Services Department for 18 years, passed away on September 11, 2003.
Welcome to Physical Plant New Employees!
Percy Dance Building Services Percy is married and has three sons. His hobbies are hockey, basketball, football, and cars.
Carden Henn Building Services Carden is married and has three children. His hobbies include stain glass, reading, piano tuning, and playing guitar.
John Keesler Building Services John is married and has four children. When he is not working, he enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.
Brian Wims Building Services Brian is single. He enjoys watching football and playing pool. He has times with a family owned restaurant business: BJ's Seafood Heaven.
PHYSICAL PLANT
2101 E. COLISEUM BLVD.
FORT WAYNE, IN 46805-1499
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Season’s Greetings From Physical Plant!
A PUBLICATION OF THE IPFW PHYSICAL PLANT
From the Ground Up, is published three times a year by IPFW Physical Plant. Director of Physical Plant: David A. Danielson Editor, Writer, and Graphic Design: Jayla Heller and Mary Waskiewicz Physical Plant Phone Number: (260) 481-6832
Our Mission
The Physical Plant Mission is to support the higher education process of the IPFW university community by providing an environment that is functional, safe, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. WE'RE ON THE WEB WWW.PHYPLT.IPFW.EDU
SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM PHYSICAL PLANT!

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From The Ground Up
A PUBLICATION OF THE IPFW PHYSICAL PLANT
Winter 2003
Inside this issue:
Pictures of Retirees 2
A Year In Review 2
Holiday Safety Tips 3
Birthdays 3
Tuberculosis Tidbit 4
Promotions 4
New Employees 5
Seven Physical Plant Employees Retire in 2003 By: Jayla M. Heller
Imagine working at IPFW when there were only one building at the minimum, where today there are approximately 15 buildings and or parking garages and more to come with student housing. This was how the campus looked when many of the Physical Plant employees first started here at IPFW. Seven Physical Plant employees will be retiring by the end of the 2003 year and they are Richard Court, Allen Peters, William Reed, Ezel Smith, Mike Bondar, Sam Kmety, and Don Lehner. I was able to sit down with a few of them to ask each of them questions about their future plans after retirement. Ezel Smith started working at IPFW in 1950. IPFW as we know it now did not exist in 1950. Ezel first started working at the downtown site for 13 years. "It was in a small building. I was on one side working for Indiana University Center and Purdue University was on the other side," Ezel explained. In 1963, she then moved to the present location on Coliseum Boulevard and worked in Kettler Hall. She worked at Kettler Hall washing windows and she said that they would not let her work anywhere else but in Kettler. She retired on September 4, 2003 and her retirement plans are to visit family. She said that what she enjoyed most about working for IPFW was making people happy. Many people at IPFW will miss seeing her smile every day. Mike Bondar started working for IPFW in 1978. When Mike first came to work for IPFW there were approximately five buildings which included Kettler Hall, Physical Plant, Neff Hall, Walb Union, and Helmke Library. I asked him what he enjoyed most about working at IPFW and he said that he loves his job, meeting a lot of nice people, and making new friends. Mike will retire on December 31, 2003 and his retirement plans include going to California to spend time with his father. Allen Peters started working for IPFW in 1982. When Allen came to work for IPFW there were approximately seven buildings which included Kettler Hall, Physical Plant, Neff Hall, Walb Union, Helmke Library, Classroom Medical, and Gates Sport Center. I asked him how IPFW changed over the years since he first started working here and he said that it was bad for a while but then things got better. He also said that there are more buildings and he saw two parking garages being built while working here. I also asked him what he enjoyed most about working for IPFW and he said meeting new people and making friends. Allen will retire on December 31, 2003 and his retirement plans include selling and buying antiques. Don Lehner started working for IPFW in 1983. When Don came to work for IPFW there were seven buildings including Kettler Hall, Physical Plant, Neff Hall, Walb Union, Helmke Library, Classroom Medical, and Gates Sport Center. The best thing that Don has enjoyed most about working at IPFW is the people. Don will retire on December 31, 2003 and his retirement plans include golfing and volunteer work. We would like to thank Richard, Allen, William, Ezel, Mike, Sam, and Don for there support that they have shown IPFW campus throughout the years of working here. Best of luck in whatever endeavors you will be doing after retiring.
L to R: Don Lehner, Mike Bondar Sam Kmety, and Allen Peters
A Year In Review By: David Danielson Director of Physical Plant
As I think back over the past year, a lot activity has gone on that has or will impact the IPFW Physical Plant. Our student housing project is progressing rapidly and most certainly will be completed on time. The Willis Family Bridge was completed in September. Planning for the new Music Building is moving forward as is the Medical Education Building. The purchase of the Oh's building was just finalized last week and we began maintaining 55 acres at the State Development Center last April. Our enrollment numbers are continuing to increase as well as our building usage. Whether it's a new building, new land, or more students it most certainly has impacted each and every one of us! From a personnel standpoint, 2003 has also brought some changes. Ezel Smith, a 53 year Physical Plant employee, retired in September. In addition, six other long term employees are retiring at the end of this year (December 31st). Overall, the Physical Plant is losing close to 200 years of experience when they retire. They have all done a great job and will be missed. After all, it's the people that make the Physical Plant what it is! The customer service all of us provide and the effort it takes to do the job the right way the first time is outstanding. In previous issues of this newsletter I've written several articles about each of us striving to become the "Provider of Choice" for IPFW. These seven individuals have been a contributing factor toward achieving this distinction - and we are proud of the role they have played in this process. As we look forward to 2004, I want to say thanks for the fantastic job all of you have done this past year. We've worked together to accomplish a great deal. And lastly, I want to wish a safe and wonderful retirement to Mike Bondar, Richard Court, Sam Kmety, Don Lehner, Al Peters, and Bill Reed who have given so much of themselves to IPFW and the Physical Plant.
"Overall, the Physical Plant is losing close to 200 years of experience when they retire."
Holiday Safety Tips By: Lauren Denhartog Chief of Police and Safety
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season will soon be upon us. Don't let yourself become so wrapped up in holiday planning that you forget safety. Here are some tips to help you get safely through the holiday season:
1. If you are going to drink, drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. Don't hesitate to call a cab if necessary.
2. As you decorate for the holidays, remember fire safety. Live trees and decorations are very flammable. If they are to be used on campus they must be treated with a fire retardant. (Call REM at 5744 for more details.)
3. If you go shopping at lunch or prior to your work hours, make sure all of your purchases are out of sight in your vehicle. Preferably locked in your trunk.
4. Don't leave children unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.
5. Don't leave your purses or wallets in a shopping cart or in your vehicle.
6. When returning to your vehicle walk in a group when possible, always have your car keys out and ready to use.
7. Be alert to your surroundings. Walk and park in well lighted areas.
We normally see an increase in crime prior to the holiday season. These are just a few of the precautions you can take to aid in your safety. Use your common sense; don't take chances with your safety! Have a great holiday season!
Happy Birthday!
January, February, March, April
JANUARY
1 Rebekah Blaettner 2 Tim Ellsworth 7 Carolyn Itt 15 Jerry McCagg 15 Nathaniel Stephens 20 Calvin Lewis 26 Jim Henderson 28 Jennifer Weigmann 30 Gary Cooley 30 Greg Miller 30 Mary Waskiewicz
FEBRUARY
2 Percy Dance 3 Robert Habeger 4 Dale Winter 11 Lauren Denhartog 20 Mattie Irby 22 Bob Brooks 25 Tom Haner 27 Lora Caldwell 27 Frank Mace
MARCH
1 Steve Newhard 3 Barry Markin 5 Sue Earlin 6 James Hall 13 Charlie Showalter 18 Jeff Davis 21 John Parkson 28 Barry Wygant
APRIL
8 Laurel Dailey 14 Richard Igney 18 Greg Clements 21 Bruce Burdick 22 Sam Quenn 29 Renee Eshcoff
Tuberculosis Tidbit By: Renee A. Eshcoff, CHMM
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other body parts, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. When a person inhales air that contains TB germs, he or she may become infected. What are some of the symptoms of TB disease? They include feeling sick or weak, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever and night sweats. The symptoms of TB of the lungs include a bad cough lasting longer than 2 weeks, chest pain, and coughing up blood. That is the "scary" side of TB. However, TB is relatively difficult to transmit and generally requires close, prolonged contact over long periods of time. Additionally, in most cases, TB can be cured with a treatment combination of drugs and isolation. People with TB disease are most likely to spread it to people they spend time and close contact with every day, such as family members or coworkers. Due to the occupational hazard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an enforcement policy in 1993 to control occupational exposure for high-risk groups. At IPFW, we have several departments which are included in our TB Program due to their potential for exposure based on their job duties. Annual TB screening and education are included in this program to protect our employees and control the spread of infection. On October 20, 2003, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health issued an "Urgent Message" indicating that we have had an increase of 50% in the number of new patients with active TB in the last four months, compared to last year at this time. Another twist is that some of the more recent cases have been in young people who have not been as compliant with their medication administration. As a bit of history, the first drug to treat TB arrived in 1944 and the first oral medication arrived in 1952 so for quite a few decades since then, TB had not been as much of a concern and was generally considered not much of a health threat. That was until the 1980s and early 1990s when well-documented outbreaks occurred and as of 2001, the number of TB cases in the United States totaled 16,000. Without a lot of common knowledge about TB, people were quite shocked. People remembered that TB was also known as the "white plague" due to the epidemic in Europe during the 18th century and "consumption" which is progressive wasting away of the body. In fact, one billion people worldwide died of TB during the 19th and 20th centuries alone. Then in 1882, a German biologist, Robert Koch, discovered the organism that caused TB which led to the drug development 60 years later. For additional information regarding TB, please contact a medical professional, CDC or OSHA. The intent of this article is only to raise awareness, not diagnose!
"TB is relatively difficult to transmit and generally requires close, prolonged contact over long periods of time."
Transfers, Promotions, and Reassignments:
Cornelius Grant Building Services Day Shift
NOTICE: Physical Plant regrets to inform you that Paul Lindenberg, who worked for IPFW Building Services Department for 18 years, passed away on September 11, 2003.
Welcome to Physical Plant New Employees!
Percy Dance Building Services Percy is married and has three sons. His hobbies are hockey, basketball, football, and cars.
Carden Henn Building Services Carden is married and has three children. His hobbies include stain glass, reading, piano tuning, and playing guitar.
John Keesler Building Services John is married and has four children. When he is not working, he enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.
Brian Wims Building Services Brian is single. He enjoys watching football and playing pool. He has times with a family owned restaurant business: BJ's Seafood Heaven.
PHYSICAL PLANT
2101 E. COLISEUM BLVD.
FORT WAYNE, IN 46805-1499
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Season’s Greetings From Physical Plant!
A PUBLICATION OF THE IPFW PHYSICAL PLANT
From the Ground Up, is published three times a year by IPFW Physical Plant. Director of Physical Plant: David A. Danielson Editor, Writer, and Graphic Design: Jayla Heller and Mary Waskiewicz Physical Plant Phone Number: (260) 481-6832
Our Mission
The Physical Plant Mission is to support the higher education process of the IPFW university community by providing an environment that is functional, safe, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. WE'RE ON THE WEB WWW.PHYPLT.IPFW.EDU
SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM PHYSICAL PLANT!